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Zhang Yuansu (styled Haizang) treated a boy. From infancy to childhood, he suffered from night sweats for seven years. Various treatments were ineffective. He prescribed Liangge San (Cooling the Mediator Powder) and Sanhuang Wan (Three-Yellow Pill). After three days, the illness was cured. This is because the Kidney transforms body fluids into five types of dampness. Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo) forces the Kidney, causing Kidney Water to ascend. It exploits the deficiency of the Heart to enter the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) channel. The Heart Fire flares upward and enters the Lung, bullying the Lung Metal which cannot overcome it. Consequently, the skin pores open, and the Couli (interstices) and Yuanfu (sweat gates) fail to close, leading to sweating. Sweating that occurs during sleep is called night sweat; it stops upon waking, as stated in the Classics: "Sweating in sleep with aversion to wind." First, Liangge San was used to drain the ministerial fire in the chest. Once the ministerial fire receded, Sanhuang Wan was used to purge the Heart Fire to assist Yin. Thus, Kidney Water returned to its home organ, the Yuanfu closed, and the sweating stopped.

Zhang Jingyue said: My second son was less than two weeks old when, in early autumn, he contracted cold pathogenic factors, resulting in fever. His pulse was slightly tight. Knowing his constitution belonged to Yin deficiency/weakness, I dared not use clearing and resolving methods. Instead, I used herbs such as Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), Perilla Leaf (Zisu), Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo), Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi), Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xixin), and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Shengjiang), hoping to disperse the cold. After one dose was swallowed, not only did the fever not subside, but severe diarrhea ensued. After two days of continuous diarrhea, wheezing and panting (chuan) developed. At this moment, I wondered: Was the cold pathogen excessive? Why did warm herbs cause diarrhea? Was it Fire punishing Metal? Could the patient still tolerate cold herbs after days of purging? Was the exterior pathogen unresolved? Then why did dispersing methods fail? I was at a loss. Seeing both interior and exterior conditions worsen, with severe panting approaching critical danger, I realized simple formulas could not save him. After deep contemplation, I gradually gained insight. I used Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) 2 qian and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Shengjiang) 5 slices, decocted in water. Using a tea spoon, I administered 2-3 spoons, holding the infant and walking slowly around the room, carefully observing the advancement and retreat of respiration. Although the panting did not decrease, it did not increase either. I gave another 3-4 spoons. Shortly after, his nasal breathing seemed slightly relieved. I then gave half a small cup, feeling a positive response. From noon until evening, he completed this dose. A physician arrived and said, "You are mistaken. With such severe panting, how can you use Ginseng? Quickly administer Baolong Wan to resolve the toxin." I did not listen. I decocted another 2.5 qian of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) and administered it from evening until midnight. Upon completion of the dose, his breath stabilized, he fell into a deep sleep, the diarrhea stopped, and the fever subsided. The reason I knew this was correct is that observing him develop panting due to diarrhea suggests Middle Qi deficiency. If there were an excess pathogen, the panting would naturally decrease with the diarrhea; this is distinguishable. Had I mistakenly listened to that physician and switched to clearing and draining herbs, once the Middle Qi collapsed, he would have been placed in a fatal situation, and they would surely blame me for misusing Ginseng. Who is right and who is wrong? How can one distinguish?